High-tech Optimism In Vegas

Fall Comdex Highlights Advances In Hand-held And Wireless Technology That Promise A Chance To Jump-start Sales.

November 20, 2000|By Gary Dretzka, Tribune Staff Writer.

Within the next year, units will become available that fully combine telephony and wireless Web browsing with existing organizational and computing technology. Almost anything that can be accomplished on a desktop machine will be rendered possible, as well, on a platform that fits into a kangaroo's pouch.

Indeed, even the most obvious drawback of such devices--the tiny keyboard--has become easy to overcome.

In several booths at Comdex, it was possible to find gizmos that expanded the size of these miniature contraptions by adding full-size, fold-up keyboards; inserting Flash cards that boost storage space and power; and providing jacks for Web-ready cell phones.

And, in case that weren't enough, one only needed to stroll over to the Kodak exhibit to find a digital camera that could be attached to a Palm, and provide instant photos. (Microsoft has a similar add-on feature.)

The images aren't as detailed as a dedicated camera might provide, but, for $149, they have the advantage of convenience and speed.

Consumers who have been scraping by without either a cell phone or Palm Pilot, and who don't mind waiting a few months for the total package, might want to consider holding off on their purchase. In Europe and Japan, customers already are able to simultaneously browse the Web, use a cell phone and do computing.

"The No.1 problem with wireless stuff, here versus there, is failure to agree on a standard," Suwanjindar said. "The Europeans and Japanese have one wireless standard, and the U.S. is still a mishmash of all sorts of different standards. This has a lot to do with the size of our country."

But, the newer products will be here soon.

One problem, however, won't go away.

For absent-minded consumers, it's just too darn easy to lose a hand-held device, and who wants to blow another $150 to $500 on a replacement?

"Some of the phones have [locating] functionality already in there, but there are privacy issues to contend with," said Suwanjindar, pointing to a warning message and space for a password on his screen. "There's my security right there. You can't use it without a security code, but there also is a number to call for a reward."